Lifecycle assessment is a quantitative and objective analysis of a product's effects on the environment throughout its entire lifecycle, from raw material and parts procurement to production, transport, use, recycling, and disposal. Canon has adopted the lifecycle assessment method to ascertain the environmental impact of all its corporate activities and reduce its CO2 emissions.

Canon and Toray Industries, Inc. have jointly developed bio-based plastic, an environmentally conscious material that incorporates plant-based and organic components, with the world's highest level of flame retardance. Canon plans to use this new material in exterior parts of new network MFDs and other products.

Canon has already achieved zero waste output at all of its plants around the world. In addition to carrying out such environmental measures as natural energy use, wastewater recycling, and chemical substance management, the company works to preserve local ecology and biodiversity through greening and other activities.

Along with products that are smaller in size and weight, Canon reduces packaging materials and modifies package design to conserve resources. Digitizing portions of user manuals to further reduce packaging sizes increases load capacity per shipment and reduces CO2 emissions.

Canon sales bases and other general offices also strive to conserve energy and resources. Environmentally conscious features of Canon Belgium and Canon Espana's new head offices include effective rainwater recycling, automatic solar blinds and insulation, and motion-sensitive sensors.

In 1990, Canon led the world in introducing a collection and recycling program for used toner cartridges. Canon has achieved a closed loop recycling system by recycling reusable parts, and crushing and sorting plastic to reuse in cartridges. All other materials are also recycled to achieve 100% recovery.

Desired quality tests for digital products are becoming more sophisticated and diverse. A comprehensive test facility established by Canon in Kawasaki City, Japan, measures radio waves, electrical stress, ambient noise, and other phenomena with state-of-the-art facilities under one roof. Canon plans to obtain authorization for in-house accreditation testing.

Canon simulations assess body stress when unpacking and using its products to help deliver an even more comfortable user experience, measuring such factors as actual muscle stress and joint angle through physiological response measurement to minimize product burden and enhance usability.